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AUX vs Carrier: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AUX model beats 52% and a typical Carrier model 48%. AUX rates slightly higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

AUX

52%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

149 models listed

Carrier

48%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

816 models listed

Rating by ratingEach bar is the share of same-size, same-type heat pumps that a typical model beats, so the two brands compare fairly even if they make different sizes.
  • Efficiency on a 5°F dayCOP at 5°FAUX: Beats 62%Carrier: Beats 56%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAUX: Beats 51%Carrier: Beats 34%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AUX: Beats 43%Carrier: Beats 40%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AUX: Beats 51%Carrier: Beats 42%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AUX: Beats 40%Carrier: Beats 59%

Average (50%)Dashed outline: the other brand, for comparison

Want ranks, distributions per size class and cold-weather curves? Switch to Advanced

Rebate standards

Share of each brand’s models that meet the level. Programs can have other rules too.

  • CEE 2025

    AUX
    68%
    Carrier
    40%

  • Xcel CC

    AUX
    63%
    Carrier
    27%

  • CEE Advanced

    AUX
    1%
    Carrier
    1%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AUX
    44%
    Carrier
    27%

All-around best, ducted 2.5–3 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

AUX

  1. 1ASUM36HPMULOAUX3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 66.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    94% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    21.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    81.2score / 100Heating 66 · Cooling 96
  2. 2ASPR30HPMULOAUX2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 73.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    77% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    80.7score / 100Heating 74 · Cooling 88
  3. 3ASPR36HPMULOAUX3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 70.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    11.6 (EER2)
    Good
    72.2score / 100Heating 70 · Cooling 74

Carrier

  1. 1RAV-BP301AT2P-ULwith ducted air handler RAV-HB301BTP-ULCarrier (sold as Toshiba Carrier)2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 81.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    83% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    88.0score / 100Heating 81 · Cooling 95
  2. 2MCY-MUB0368HS2P-ULCarrier (sold as Toshiba Carrier)3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 78.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.28 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.7 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    20.1 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.8 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    87.5score / 100Heating 78 · Cooling 97
  3. 337MGHAQ30EA3Carrier (sold as Bryant)Also sold as Arcoaire D5CMHAH30EAK2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 78.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    116% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.95 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Top 10%
    Cooling efficiency
    19.5 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    85.5score / 100Heating 79 · Cooling 93

These are certified test ratings, not a recommendation for your home. The right size comes from a load calculation by a contractor.

Next steps

The advanced view adds ranks, both brands’ models inside every size class, standout models per rating and cold-weather curves.

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